ays, among whom the
unexpected advent of a troop of engineers, of Northern extraction, made
a desirable variety.

One of these gentlemen only, the chief-engineer, who came to make new
roads for Lesdernier,[1] by order of government, had already been a
visitor of some weeks, and a strong attachment, vital from the first,
had sprung up between us; so far, unacknowledged by either.

During the dessert which succeeded the sumptuous Christmas-dinner, where
old and young took part, and "all went merry as a marriage-bell," the
health of John C. Calhoun, then heading the nullification party, was
formally proposed by Colonel La Vigne, as "first of men, and greatest of
statesmen."

This toast Captain Wentworth (the chief of the corps of engineers)
tacitly refused to drink, and was seconded in this resolve by all of his
party. There was, however, no active demonstration of unwillingness.

The representatives of government contented themselves with pressing
their hands above their glasses, and so refusing to fill them with the
wine that flowed freely to the welcome pledge, standing rigidly and
silently while it was drunk with enthusiasm by the remaining guests--all
Southern and sectional.

This defalcation to the common cause was apparently unnoticed at the
time, but was made the subject of remark, and subsequently of a
challenge by the Mars of the family, as Gregory denominated Major
Favraud--a challenge which circumstances compelled Captain Wentworth
reluctantly to accept.

No fire-eater, yet truly brave, he weighed the matter well, and decided
on his course; the one most expedient, if not absolutely necessary for a
stranger whose character for courage had still to be proved. In the
interval of the pending duel, of which all the inmates of Beauseincourt
were unconscious, save its master, who considered it as a mere matter of
course, Gregory (to whom I have alluded, the evil genius of the house
henceforth) arrived to reenforce the engineering corps.

Subtle, accomplished, versatile, graceful even in his singular
homeliness, and peculiar insolent style of address, he yet made himself
so acceptable to the family as to dare to seek the hand of the second
daughter of Colonel La Vigne, and, though at first tolerated by her
parents only, at last came to be well received.

At the very time that he was enlisting the innocent heart of Madge, he
was making to me, the governess, whenever he could find the slightest
opportunity, avo